Teenage and young adult food challenges prior to transition

Abstract

A number of children are followed up throughout their childhood for allergies which were first diagnosed in infancy and early childhood. With persistent positivity on skin prick testing (SPT) they have often never been eligible for an oral challenge. Prior to transition out of paediatric services, patients aged 16 to 18 are being offered challenges to foods to which they are allergic based on history and SPT. Methods: Review of the outcomes of oral food challenges offered to 16 to 18-year-olds from July 2018 to July 2019. The prior reaction and skin prick testing were reviewed. Results: 71% of the 31 patients successfully completed an oral challenge to a food they had previously been allergic to. With 70% of the patients who had never consumed the food they were sensitised to having a successful challenge (n=13). 81% of those who had previously had anaphylaxis had a successful challenge (n=11). Additionally, 70% of patients with a SPT result ≥ 9mm had a successful challenge. Conclusions: Challenges should be considered in patients aged 16 to 18 despite ongoing high skin prick tests results. The potential benefit to them should they have a successful challenge is high. Furthermore, for those that failed, a better understanding of their allergy is also a useful outcome.L6317768642020-05-25 <br />